Seventy-five years after the ratification of the Geneva Conventions, the ongoing war in Gaza starkly underscores the challenges of upholding these international laws designed to protect civilians during conflicts. Originally established in the aftermath of World War II to mitigate the devastating impact of war, these rules are meant to limit the suffering of noncombatants. However, the conflict in Gaza raises troubling questions about the global community’s commitment to these principles.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), marked the anniversary by condemning the consistent violations of the Geneva Conventions in Gaza. In a pointed statement, he accused both the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, of blatantly breaking the rules intended to protect civilians. He also criticized United Nations member states for failing in their responsibilities to enforce these conventions and ensure that all parties to the conflict adhere to them.
The relevance of these rules was brought into sharp focus following a recent Israeli airstrike on a former school compound in northern Gaza, which killed dozens of Palestinians. The attack drew widespread international condemnation. While the Israeli military defended its actions, claiming that militants were using civilian structures as military command centers, the incident has intensified the debate over proportionality and the protection of civilians in warzones.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres echoed Lazzarini’s concerns, mourning the loss of life in Gaza and emphasizing the need for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law. Guterres reiterated the importance of the principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, including the distinction between civilians and combatants and the requirement to take precautions to minimize harm to noncombatants.
Despite these calls for adherence to international law, the situation in Gaza continues to challenge the application of the Geneva Conventions. The ongoing violence, which has claimed nearly 40,000 lives according to Gazan health authorities, has led many to question whether the international community is capable of enforcing these rules in the face of modern warfare.
The war in Gaza serves as a reminder of the humanitarian goals at the heart of the Geneva Conventions. While these laws are not a tool for pacifism, they are meant to alleviate suffering and protect the innocent. As the world marks the 75th anniversary of these vital conventions, the conflict in Gaza resonates as a tragic example of the ongoing struggle to uphold the principles of international humanitarian law in contemporary conflicts.
